Modak or Kozhukattai is not just a sweet dish; it’s a tradition, a celebration, and a part of the culture. During the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, modak is a must-have dish. The festival is incomplete without these mouth-watering treats.
The moment you take a bite of modak, you’ll experience a burst of flavours in your mouth. The soft, steamed outer layer made of rice flour perfectly complements the sweet and aromatic filling inside.The aroma of the modak is so tempting that you can’t resist taking a bite. The taste of the sweet filling melts in your mouth, leaving a lingering taste of coconut and cardamom that will make you crave more.
Not only this delicious dish has cultural significance, but also this dish offers numerous health benefits as it not only helps in improving digestion and preventing constipation, but also is rich in dietary fiber, which helps in maintaining gut health, reducing the risk of colon cancer, and promoting weight loss.
It is an excellent source of energy and is packed with antioxidants and immunity boosting minerals like zinc and selenium which helps in protecting the body against infections and diseases.
Also, Jaggery used in modak has a low glycemic index, which means it doesn’t cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels. This makes it a healthier alternative to refined sugar.
The filling of modak contains coconut, which is rich in calcium and phosphorus, essential minerals for healthy bones and teeth.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 1 cup grated coconut
- 1/2 cup jaggery
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- Ghee, for greasing
Instructions:
- In a pan, roast the rice flour for about 5-6 minutes on low heat until it turns slightly golden. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, add the water, salt, and ghee and bring it to a boil.
- Slowly add the roasted rice flour to the boiling water, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Mix well until the dough forms and comes together.
- Turn off the heat and let the dough cool for a few minutes. Knead the dough well until it becomes smooth and soft.
- In another pan, add the grated coconut and jaggery and cook on medium heat until the jaggery melts and the mixture thickens. Add the cardamom powder and mix well.
- Take small portions of the dough and shape them into small cups or balls using your palms.
- Fill each cup with a spoonful of the coconut-jaggery mixture and close it, giving it the shape of a modak.
- Grease a steamer plate with ghee and place the modaks on it. Steam the modaks for about 10-12 minutes on medium heat or until they are cooked.
- Once done, remove the modaks from the steamer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Your delicious modaks are now ready to be served! Enjoy them hot or at room temperature.
However, it’s note worthy that modak is still a high-calorie sweet and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
